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Finding Healthy Recipes on the Internet

by Alice Henneman, MS, Registered Dietitian & Extension Educator

(NOTE: Links to other sites are provided as a service and do not constitute an endorsement of any organization or responsibility for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at this link. The links provided are maintained by their respective organizations and they are solely responsible for their content and policies. Use of commercial and trade names does not imply approval or constitute endorsement by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. Nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.)

There are several ways to locate recipes on the Internet. Here are some suggestions to get you started in finding recipes that both taste good and are good for you and your family.

If you don't have easy access to a computer, share this information with a friend or family member who is linked to the Internet and have them search for you. Or, sign up for computer time at your local library.

1. Visit these Internet recipe sites

Many of these sites offer added features of letting you specify certain ingredients, preparation time, and nutritional content. They also provide cooking tips, definitions of food terms and much more.

Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter (3/01) cited six websites they thought especially helpful in providing recipes that help you reduce fat, salt, calories or all three from your meals. They felt these sites were easy to use and provided easy-to-prepare recipes made from ordinary ingredients you're likely to have in your kitchen.

• Intelihealth
• Cooking Light Magazine
• Delicious Decisions - This American Heart Association Web site offers a virtual cookbook.
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - Enjoy the "Stay Young at Heart Recipes."
• allrecipes.com (Healthy Recipes section)
• Meals For You

Some other sites you may find helpful include:

• www.foodandhealth.com/recipes.php -- Food and Health Communications, Inc. offers easy- to-make recipes that are high in fiber, low in fat and sodium and are based on whole grains, vegetables, beans and fruit. You also can access links to several food companies, associations, etc. through this link on their site.


• www.quickandhealthy.net/recipes_to_try/index.html -- Gives 12 quick and healthy recipes. While at the site, also visit the link for the Recipe and Healthy Tip of the Month


• http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnparecipe/recipesearch.aspx -- Access lots of tasty fruit and vegetable recipes recipes at the website of the National Cancer Institute. Recipes include preparation time.


• www.mealtime.org -- Many times canned food is as nutritious, and sometimes more so, than fresh and frozen food. Plus, it can be the basis of a quick and convenient meal. Check this site offered by the Canned Food Alliance for several canned food recipes.

There are many other Internet sites you may find helpful. Following are two ways to find additional sources of recipes.

2. Type in the name of a food company in the "location" or "address" area on your web browser: www.company.com -- many times, this will take you directly to their Web site.

3. Use an Internet "search engine"

Most web browsers offer a button to access various search engines. Just type in the name of the kind of recipes you wish in the "search" blank, such as "sweet potato recipe" or "bread machine recipe."

Check for further tips at your favorite search engine site on how to refine your search. To "google" for recipes, visit the Google search engine at www.google.com